KBRR Market Analysis and Needs Assessment

During the spring of 2011 KBNERR educationstaff conducted an environmental educationneeds assessment and market analysis as partof a Reserve-wide effort by the NERR toidentify gaps in coastal education.On a local level theseassessments will enable KBNERRand partnering coastal educatorsin Homer to better meet theneeds of teachers and studentswithin the Kenai PeninsulaBorough.

Needs Assessment SurveyThe Process:KBNERR targeted all 16 schools within a 30-mileradius of Homer.A total of 156 teachers are employed at the 16schools. All teachers at each school werecontacted by an email delivered through theschool superintendent.40 teachers responded to the invitation tocomplete the needs assessment for a totalresponse rate of 26%.

Key Needs Assessment Results:Marine science is a required topic for 82.9% of the teacherssurveyed, while climate change science and estuary scienceare required topics for about half of all teachers surveyed(51.5% and 48.5% respectively). The vast majority (97.4%) of teachers are interested in including more outdoor education into their classroom schedule. Most would like facilitated hands-on or inquiry- based activities (88.9% and 77.8% respectively).

Real-time and Archived Data:Real time and archived data sets appear to beunderutilized by respondents, with 56.7% stating thatthey use none of the above.Temperature and air data garnered the highest responserate at 20%.

The majority of teachers who participated inthe survey (68%) are teaching about thescience of climate change.Given that 51.5% of respondents indicatedthat climate change is a required part of theirschool’s curriculum, it would appear thatsome teachers are teaching about climatechange even when it’s not a curriculumrequirement. “If 98 doctors say my son is ill andneeds medication and two say “No, hedoesn’t, he is fine,’ I will go with the 98.It’s common sense – the same withclimate change. We go with themajority, the large majority… The keything now is that since we know thisindustrial age has created it, let’s getour act together and do everything wecan to roll it back.” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Professional Teacher Development Opportunities: Teachers identified a need for more science-based professional teacher development opportunities. 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% computer-… field work /… estuarine… Facilitating Science Using real- Conducting Marine or content hands-on… time or… UsingThe top five professional teacher development needs identified are:(1) conducting hands-on activities(2) incorporating new lab activities(3) facilitating inquiry-based activities(4) marine or estuary science(5) facilitating field work and data collection based

Market Analysis SurveyThe Process:KBNERR targeted coastal educators working within the greater Homerarea. A total of 13 educators from State, Federal, and non-profitorganizations were identified for the survey based on their experienceand/or interest in coastal education. Nine educators responded to and email request to fill out the Market Analysis for a response rate of 69.2%. All educators are known to KBNERR staff, and most partner with KBNERR on program delivery, outreach efforts, and annual program planning.

Key Market Assessment Results: Most respondents (75%) indicated that they address human impacts to the environment, while five of eight responded that they address climate change, sea level rise and/or ocean acidification. Topics such as water chemistry; heat transfer; and physical properties of water are not being taught. This indicates a clear gap in Homer’s coastal environmental education.

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Nutrient Cycles and… Life Cycles of… Animal Migration Invasive SpeciesTides, Waves & Currents Erosion and… Climate Change/Sea… Water Cycle Heat Transfer Water Density the middle and high school level. Water Chemistry Lab or Field Work… Technology &… Commercial Fishing &… Conservation Human Impact on the… Water Quality & HealthActions citizens/students… High Middle Elementary these topics at the elementary school level, with a drop in both The results also suggests that more coastal educators are teaching numbers of environmental educators teaching and subjects taught at

The Science of Climate Change:All responders include information about climate change in theirprogramming, with 42.9% stating that they almost always do, and just28.6% stating that they usually do not.All responders with the exception of one would like to receive localenvironmental education training specific to climate change issues. Would you be interested in local environmental education training specific to climate change issues? Response Response Answer Options Percent Count Yes 83.3% 5 No 16.7% 1 Other (please specify) 1 answered question 6 skipped question 4

Professional Teacher Development Opportunities:Six survey responders (out of nine) indicated that they offer professionalteacher development. Four target elementary school educators, whilethe other two target middle school educators.Based on the KBNERR Needs Assessment area high school teachers arein need of coastal teacher professional development opportunities.This lack of emphasis on high school- level professional teacherdevelopment indicates a gap KBNERR should look to fill. 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Elementary School iddle School Do notSchool M High offer professional teacher development Other (please specify)

Conclusion: KBRR and other partner coastal educators can address stated data gaps in the following areas: Physical Oceanography: Develop and deliver physical oceanography programs at the middle and high school level (physical properties of water; water. chemistry; water density; salinity; heat transfer; real estuary measurements and data; and interdisciplinary research). Include the use of real time and archived data sets. Offer physical oceanography professional development workshops to 7th – 12th grade teachers to meet the identified need for more professional teacher development at the middle and high school level.

Climate Change: Based on the MA and NA survey results, both coastal environmental educators and Homer area teachers are hungry for a broad range of climate change education, from sea level rise, to ocean acidification and stewardship actions. The KBRR Discovery Labs format, along with targeted teacher workshops, can help to provide information on the impacts of climate change to Alaska’s ocean waters, ocean life, weather, and climate.

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KBRR Market Analysis and Needs Assessment

by alalderfer

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